That’s illegal under federal law, which limits sports wagering to Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. But New Jersey is pushing the issue, following voter approval of a state constitutional amendment permitting sports wagering last year. In January, Gov. Chris Christie, in signing enabling legislation, offered a make-my-day moment, stating that if the federal government “wants to stop us, then let them try to stop us.”

Now it’s the sports leagues that have fired the first lawsuit.

We’ve never been fans of having the state’s citizens bankroll a legal fight on behalf of gaming. The casinos that would make the most revenue should fund it. The better approach is that of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, Dist., who has legislation to reopen a window to permit states to offer this betting legally.

However, the duplicity of arguments from the NCAA, and professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey are absolutely astonishing.

To quote from the complaint, “Amateur and professional sports are an integral part of American culture, particularly among the country’s youth who often look up to athletes as role models.” Fans might think that plays and final scores “may have been influenced by factors other than honest competition.”

As for the NCAA, it’s getting over the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State football scandal, which had nothing to do with bets, but everything to do with the big money that college sports generate — in part because of bettor interest.